Poseidon-3 Review of The Fighter

The Fighter (1983 TV Movie)

Not as Rocky as you might be expecting...

[8 April 2020]

In this little-known, but reasonably rewarding film, Harrison portrays a blue collar mill worker who - like so many in the early-'80s - is laid off and can barely make ends meet. He lives with his father Hingle (also jobless after the mill closing) and his wife O'Connor (who helps make ends meet as a beautician.) Harrison has accepted a degrading job as a bellhop in order to put food on the table, but remains desolate over not being able to get ahead in life. One night, he is tempted to compete in a "Brawlers" competition - an amateur boxing event - in which the top prize is $1,000 (which went a lot further in 1983 than it would now.) O'Connor is appalled, but lives with the decision as it was for one night. However, when a regional competition with a prize of $10,000 is dangled before him, it's harder for him to turn down. Whereas "Rocky" (1976) dealt with a barely articulate mug trying to pound his way out of poverty while romancing a backward local girl, "The Fighter" deals with somewhat more relatable people; people hit hard by economic chaos (the U.S. had a more than 10% unemployment rate at the time.) Is the story predictable? Yes. To a point. Some of the plot can be seen from a mile away, but occasionally a little surprise will pop up. The appeal of the movie is, first and foremost, seeing a ruggedly handsome Harrison at his physical peak. His gaze in close-ups is jaw-dropping while his physique in the medium shots (and one eye-popping shower, thankyouverymuch) is impressive. (And I am diggin' that denim ball cap!) He does a great, committed job in the film. O'Connor is solid and reliable, too, and it's unusual to see the typically clean-scrubbed actress in so much makeup as this beautician character. Hingle provides wonderful support as the dejected, disbelieving father. Directed by prolific veteran Rich (who brought the world treasures like "Madame X" and trash like "The Concorde... Airport '79"), it's well-handled throughout and even with occasional cliches and coincidental devices is a little moving. Don't blink or you'll miss "L.A. Law's" Susan Ruttan as a hostess and you can also see "The Bold and the Beautiful's" Darlene Conley as Harrison's hotel employer.